On the way to discover the Wines of Corbières and the Cathar Country. To the west of the Languedoc, between Montpellier and Perpignan, lies the Aude vineyard. In this vineyard you will find the famous AOC Corbières. This appellation extends from Carcassonne to Narbonne but also to the foothills of the Pyrenees at the foot of the Montagne Noire.
The steps of our Corbières & Cathar Country Wine Route :
The climate is Mediterranean, but the influence of the Pyrenees makes it possible to obtain finer and fresher wines. The wines in the Corbières appellation are fleshy, elegant and powerful with fruity aromas. They also have a strong imprint and are rough.
The grape varieties used for the Corbières are identified with the wines of the south: Carignan, Grenache, Cinsault, Mourvèdre and Syrah. Discover on this route these wines with a strong character without forgetting to go through the city of Carcassonne to discover a medieval city classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and which can be visited by foot...
We offer you with this Corbières and Cathar Country Wine Route an original selection of winegrowers who will make you discover their profession and taste their wines.
Not far from Limoux is the first stage of the Corbières & Cathar Country Wine Route. This is the Domaine de Baronarques. Since its acquisition in 1998 by the Baroness Philippine de Rothschild and her two sons, Philippe Sereys de Rothschild and Julien de Beaumarchais de Rothschild, the Domaine de Baronarques has become a reference for the wines of Languedoc-Roussillon.
2003 is a landmark year for this estate, the wine proves to be very high quality and receives the AOC de Limoux red appellation. The vineyard extends over 43 hectares, the grape varieties are 70% Bordeaux (Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon or Cabernet Franc) and 30% Mediterranean (Syrah, Grenache or Malbec for the red wines and only Chardonnay for the white wines).
At Domaine Baronarques we invite you to visit the vineyard, the vat room and the barrel cellar. We explain how the grapes are harvested by hand and their journey all the way to the wine bottle. A wine-tasting is also proposed to awaken your senses to oenology.
Your journey continues to Carcassonne, to the Château de Pennautier, built in 1620 by Bernard Reich de Pennautier. A protected historical monument, this castle combines the beauty of the heritage and the region. Since 1620, the Château de Pennautier has been exploiting its wine-growing land, passed down from generation to generation.
Nicolas and Miren de Lorgeril continue the work of their ancestors by highlighting the singular terroirs of a region located at the crossroads of oceanic and Mediterranean influences. The wines of Château de Pennautier transcribe all the depth and delicacy of the terroirs and grape varieties.
Visit the Pennautier winery and discover the philosophy of the estate, the influence of the barrel and the different terroirs of the Cabardès appellation through a tasting led by a sommelier. 5 "prestige" wines will be in the spotlight. You will taste wines that may or may not have been matured in barrels and wines from selected parcels in order to discover the different terroirs of Cabardès.
Head towards the city of Carcassonne and the Canal du Midi. Discover the Domain of Château Auzias-Paretlongue. Vines have been cultivated here for 2000 years and the Romans, the Canons of Carcassonne and then the Auzias succeeded one another on this estate.
Nathalie and Dominique Auzias surrounded by their children continue to expand the domain. They are extremely committed to sustainable production and organic conversion. The vines are grassed, they do not use any insecticides, glyphosate or chemical fertilizers.
During your stay at the Domaine du Château Auzias-Paretlongue, you will be able to share and feel their passion for nature and the environment. You will be able to visit the estate, the vines, the cellar and taste several of their wines. During this time, you will have the opportunity to discover the daily life of the winemakers and share their passion.
The end is near... Here you are at the Domaine du Château Grand Moulin, the last step of your journey... The Château Grand Moulin adventure began in 1985, when Jean-Noël Bousquet acquired 24 hectares and set up his own private cellar on the site of an old mill on the banks of the Orbieu River.
Since 2014, his son Frédéric Bousquet, a young winemaker, has taken over. Château Grand Moulin is a large and vast 130-hectare vineyard, a mosaic of terroirs, wines sold and recognized throughout the world, and one of the leaders of the Corbières appellation. The diversity of their soils allows them to offer different Corbières.
The Bousquet family is proud to share its wines and its credo with you through visits of the estate, the gleaming winery and the barrel cellar, as well as tastings of their wines.
